The Swaziland Solidarity Network [SSN] is pleased to hear that the seven PUDEMO members who were arrested for wearing PUDEMO t-shirts have been released on E15 000 bail each. It is unfortunate, however that the president of the organization, Mario Masuku and student activist and Secretary General of the Swaziland Youth Congress [SWAYOCO], Maxwell Dlamini, were denied bail.

Maxwell and Masuku have both been charged with four counts of terrorism. On the first count, they are charged with contravening Section 11 (1) (a) of the Suppression of Terrorism Act No.3 of 2008. On the second charge they contravened Section 11 (1) (b) of the same Act. It is alleged that on Thursday, they unlawfully solicited support for and or gave support to a terrorist entity, PUDEMO. The state, as usual, is opposing their bail application on the grounds that they are flight risks, this despite the fact that they have been admitted to bail in two other trials and never fled the country.

This indicates that the state simply wishes to see them behind bars for as long as possible, knowing that this will be punishment enough as it would take the case years before it comes before a judge who will most likely dismiss it. We wish to condemn this behavior by the Swazi authorities and demand the immediate release of the two political figures and all political prisoners.